Story Structure — 6 Plot Phases
Beijing Beginnings
The hosts establish their rural lifestyle in Huayuan Village, Beijing, learning to live off the land while completing tasks for supplies.
Key Events
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Show Premiere — Pilot episode airs on Hunan TV Characters: Self - Host (饰演者: Huang Lei), Self - Host (饰演者: He Jiong), Self - Host (饰演者: Peng Yuchang), Self - Host (饰演者: Zhang Zifeng)
Location: Hunan TV
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Rural Life Setup — Hosts settle into rural village life Characters: Self - Host (饰演者: Huang Lei), Self - Host (饰演者: He Jiong), Self - Host (饰演者: Peng Yuchang), Self - Host (饰演者: Zhang Zifeng)
Location: Huayuan Village
Zhejiang Expansion
The show moves to Heling Village in Zhejiang, with Peng Yuchang joining as a permanent cast member, bringing new dynamics to the rural experience.
Key Events
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Task Completion — Hosts complete tasks to earn supplies Characters: Self - Host (饰演者: Huang Lei), Self - Host (饰演者: He Jiong), Self - Host (饰演者: Peng Yuchang), Self - Host (饰演者: Zhang Zifeng)
Location: Rural village
Hunan Research
Filming shifts to Wengcao Village in Hunan, with Zhang Zifeng joining and academic research elements added to explore rural conditions.
Key Events
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Guest Arrival — New guests join the hosts in the village Characters: Self - Host (饰演者: Huang Lei), Self - Host (饰演者: He Jiong), Self - Host (饰演者: Peng Yuchang), Self - Host (饰演者: Zhang Zifeng)
Location: Rural village
Yunnan Adventures
The hosts experience life in Manyuan Village, Yunnan, adapting to the unique environment and cultural aspects of the region.
Key Events
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Season Transition — Hosts move to new rural location for next season Characters: Self - Host (饰演者: Huang Lei), Self - Host (饰演者: He Jiong), Self - Host (饰演者: Peng Yuchang), Self - Host (饰演者: Zhang Zifeng)
Location: New village location
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Cast Change — New cast member joins the show Characters: Self - Host (饰演者: Huang Lei), Self - Host (饰演者: He Jiong), Self - Host (饰演者: Peng Yuchang), Self - Host (饰演者: Zhang Zifeng)
Location: Rural village
Taoyuan Reflections
In Bailinzhou Village, Hunan, the hosts reflect on their journey while Lay Zhang joins the cast for new perspectives.
Key Events
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Cast Change — New cast member joins the show Characters: Self - Host (饰演者: Huang Lei), Self - Host (饰演者: He Jiong), Self - Host (饰演者: Peng Yuchang), Self - Host (饰演者: Zhang Zifeng)
Location: Rural village
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Culinary Challenge — Hosts prepare meals with harvested produce Characters: Self - Host (饰演者: Huang Lei), Self - Host (饰演者: He Jiong), Self - Host (饰演者: Peng Yuchang), Self - Host (饰演者: Zhang Zifeng)
Location: Rural kitchen
Hainan Conclusions
The hosts experience rural life in Shayutang Village, Hainan, concluding their multi-season journey of simple living.
Key Events
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Season Finale — Hosts reflect on season experiences Characters: Self - Host (饰演者: Huang Lei), Self - Host (饰演者: He Jiong), Self - Host (饰演者: Peng Yuchang), Self - Host (饰演者: Zhang Zifeng)
Location: Rural village
The show documents the simplistic lifestyle of living away from the bustling city centers. Each season takes place in a different rural part of China. The cast members are only provided with the basic life necessities and have to take care of everything else such as cooking their own meals and building their own furniture. To "buy" different cooking ingredients and other tools, they have to complete certain tasks assigned by the production crew, such as planting and harvesting crops. Different guests join the cast in each episode and help out with the daily chores. The goal of the program is to bring the audience along on a slower pace of life and to illustrate the joys of a simple lifestyle.
